Device for managing the illumination of the grips of a climbing wall

ABSTRACT

An illumination management device intended for an artificial climbing wall having at least one emission loop arranged so as to be fixed to the rear of the wall and able to emit an electromagnetic field through the wall, at least one luminous grip arranged so as to be fixed to the front of the wall and being able to receive an electronic card includes at least one light source and a reception loop able to receive said electromagnetic field emitted by the associated emission loop so as to convert it into electric current in order to power the light source, and a control housing for the light source being arranged so as to be connected to an electrical network so as to power the emission loop with electric current and able to send commands to manage the illumination of the light source.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a device for managing the illumination of aclimbing wall in order to primarily dynamically mark courses, calledpaths, to be carried out by the users, said paths being predefined bythe manager of said wall according to the desired difficulty and/or thelevel of the user, said device for managing also making it possible tomake use of the associated animation capacities.

PRIOR ART

Climbers have always sought to rank the climbing paths in degrees ofdifficulty. When artificial walls appeared, courses were plotted bypositioning coloured grips, each course with different coloursrepresenting an itinerary with its own degree of difficulty. However,the multiple overlappings of courses and the grips of all colours renderthe readability of the plots difficult for the least.

In this respect, grips provided with lights intended to be mounted on aclimbing wall using usual means of fastening are already known. Thelatter are comprised of a body comprising an outer portion intended tosupport a climber and a substantially planar mounting face able tocooperate with said climbing wall. The body advantageously comprises aninner compartment made from a transparent or translucent constructionmaterial able to allow light to pass through. Said lighted climbinggrips also comprising one or several sources of light arranged insidethe body or inner compartment, or in the vicinity of said grips or flushwith the surface of the latter, with said sources of light beingconnected to a source of energy thanks to power supply cables arrangedbehind the climbing wall and passing through said wall thanks toorifices. However, this type of lighted grips is not compatible with arenewing of the climbing wall consisting in a modification of theposition of said grips either by changing their geographical position onthe wall, or by rotating said grips about their axis. Indeed, if theposition of the lighted grips changes, it may be necessary to extend theelectric power supply cables and make new orifices for passing throughsaid climbing wall. These operations are tedious and expensive becauseit is not always easy to access the rear of the climbing wall, once thelatter is installed. Likewise, it is necessary to mount/dismount thegrips frequently in order to clean them. These operations are thendelicate because the grips must be connected/disconnected from theelectric power supply cables every time. Finally, the multiplication oforifices can in the long run weaken the climbing wall.

In order to overcome a portion of these disadvantages, autonomouslighted grips provided with batteries are known. However, this type oflighted grips still has several disadvantages. Indeed, on the one hand,these batteries have a limited lifespan which requires relativelyfrequent replacing and which requires creating in the grip itself asubstantial housing for installing them which as such limits their usein grips of significant dimensions and, on the other hand, recyclingbatteries still remains a delicate environmental problem.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is therefore to overcome theaforementioned disadvantages and to propose a device for illuminating aclimbing wall that is easy to install, autonomous and that makes itpossible to easily change the courses of said climbing wall, at leastcost and without complex and expensive operations, said device able tobe installed on most of the existing climbing walls.

In accordance with the invention, a device for managing illumination istherefore proposed intended for an artificial climbing wall remarkablein that it comprises at least one emission loop arranged so as to befixed to the rear of the wall and being able to emit an electromagneticfield through said wall, at least one lighted grip arranged to befastened to the front of said wall and able to receive an electroniccard comprising at least one light source and a reception loop able toreceive said electromagnetic field emitted by the associated emissionloop so as to convert it into electric current in order to power saidlight source, and a control housing of the light source being arrangedso as to be connected to an electrical network in order to supply saidemission loop with electric current and able to send commands in orderto manage the illumination of said light source.

The electronic card advantageously comprises a presence detector for aclimber on the associated grip, the presence detector being preferably areed switch associated with a magnet or an RFID reader associated with atag, the magnet or the tag having the form of a bracelet arranged to beworn by a climber.

The electronic card also comprises a regulator and a microcontrollermaking possible in particular the management of the identificationinformation of the light source and of the associated grip.

Advantageously, the electronic card is embedded in the material of thegrip.

More advantageously, the electronic card is embedded in the material ofan independent removable subset able to be inserted into the back of thegrip.

The grip or the subset comprises a portion made of flexible material toreceive the electronic card.

The control housing comprises an electrical power supply in order tosupply said emission loop with electric current and a microcontrollermaking it possible to control the proper operation of the device formanaging the illumination.

Advantageously, the device for managing the illumination comprises amulti-platform software interface.

For this, the software interface is more preferably carried out in theform of a web server built into said control housing of the lightsources.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device for managing theillumination comprises at least one interactive terminal making itpossible to manage the illumination of one or several paths and thecontrol housing comprises a means of connection allowing the terminal tobe connected to the software interface built into said housing via awireless protocol or via cables.

According to an even more advantageous embodiment, the device formanaging the illumination comprises a bidirectional link between thegrip or grips and the control housing of the light sources making itpossible to measure and record the time taken by a climber to carry outthe chosen path.

The bidirectional link more preferably uses radiofrequencies and theelectronic card of the grip and the control housing of the light sourceseach comprise a transceiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other advantages and characteristics shall appear more clearly in thefollowing description of an embodiment of a device for managing theillumination of a climbing wall according to the invention in referenceto the annexed figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a grip of a device for managing theillumination of a climbing wall according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the grip of FIG. 1 fastened onto aclimbing wall;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a climbing wall provided with a plurality ofdevices for managing the illumination according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a climbing wall provided with aplurality of devices for managing the illumination and with a softwareinterface terminal;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a first operating principle associated with afirst alternative of the device for managing the illumination of aclimbing wall according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a second operating principle associated with asecond alternative of the device for managing the illumination of aclimbing wall according to the invention.

BEST METHOD OF CARRYING OUT THE TECHNICAL INVENTION

In reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device for managing 1 theillumination of a climbing wall 2 comprises at least one emission loop 3arranged so as to be fixed to the rear of the wall 2, connected to anelectrical network and being able to emit an electromagnetic fieldthrough said wall 2, and a lighted grip 4 arranged to be fastened to thefront of said wall 2 thanks to means of fastening 5 of the bolt or screwtype for example, said grip 4 able to receive an electronic card 6comprising at least one light source and a reception loop 8 able toreceive said electromagnetic field emitted by the associated emissionloop 3 and convert it into electric current in order to power said lightsource 7.

“Front” of the climbing wall 2 here designates the face that is oppositethe climber when the latter is about to climb said wall 2, and “rear”the opposite face.

Due to the frequent removal/reinstalling of the grips 4 in order toclean them in particular, the use of a power supply via magneticinduction is particularly adapted to overcome the disadvantages of wiredelectrical power supply systems.

Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in determining thecharacteristics of the power supply via magnetic induction to beimplemented according in particular to the nature and the thickness ofthe wall 2.

For the same reasons, the electronic card 6 is more preferably embeddedin the resin of the grip 4 in order to render the whole sealed androbust, said resin being conventionally of the orthophthalic polyesteror polyurethane or epoxy type, for example, and becoming hard aftermoulding.

However, whereas the grips made of hard resin do not make it possible torecover the electronic card 6 at the end of its life in order to berecycled, the electronic card 6 can be embedded in a portion of the grip4 made of “flexible” material, such as silicone for example, with theflexible portion then being itself embedded in a harder resin. Thisalternative embodiment not shown would make it possible to facilitatethe extraction of the electronic card 6, and therefore to consider therecycling of the latter.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the electronic card 6is embedded in an independent removable subset which will be insertedinto the back of the grip 4, with the latter comprising a reservationable to receive said subset. Moreover, as hereinabove, in order tofacilitate the extraction of the electronic card 6, the latter can alsobe embedded in a portion of the subset made of “flexible” material, suchas silicone for example, with the flexible portion then itself beingembedded in a harder resin.

Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in determining thenumber and the type of electronic components of the electronic card 6,so that the latter provide the correct operation of the grip 4 and arecompatible with the chemical, thermal and mechanical constraints linkedto integration in said grip 4.

However, in order to limit the effects of the chemical and thermalconstraints, the electronic card 6 can, prior to being immersed in thegrip 4 or in the subset, be cast in a protective resin. This resin canalso soften any mechanical constraints during the solidification of theresin of the grips 4.

The light source 7 is advantageously a LED (Light Emitting Diode) ableto emit light of several different colours according to the needs andpaths to be marked. Using a LED also makes it possible to easily adjustthe intensity of the light flow in order to adapt the device formanaging 1 to the ambient lighting conditions.

As the atmosphere in the vicinity of the wall 2 is loaded with magnesiapowder, each grip 4 is as such easy to remove, allowing for frequentcleaning in order to ensure the reliability and the sustainability ofsaid device for managing 1.

In reference to FIG. 3, an emission loop 3 can be advantageouslyassociated with several reception loops and therefore with several grips4 in order to simultaneously supply several light sources 7. Thisconfiguration allows for substantial modularity of the wall 2 thanks tothe variability of the position of the grips 4.

In reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the device for managing 1 also comprises acontrol housing 9 able to activate the emission loops 3 in order tolight or not light the light sources 7 of the grips 4 and a softwareinterface that operates more preferably using an interactive terminal 10making it possible to manage the illumination of one or several paths.

However, the software interface can also be used on other hardwareplatforms with for example restrictions in functionalities according tothe users.

As such, a version of the software interface for portable telephones, ofthe Smartphone type, will allow a forerunner to install the grips alonein order to create new paths.

Likewise, a Smartphone/PC/interactive terminal version will make itpossible to visualise and to choose paths, and to safeguard variousparameters that are proper to the climbers.

A PC (Personal Computer) version will be primarily dedicated to thecomputer of the manager of the climbing room provided with the devicefor managing 1 according to the invention.

Finally, the software interface can be used for “announcement” screensarranged in various locations in the room in order to communicate on thetechnical capacities and functionalities of the device for managing 1and to present information on the other paths available in the room.

In order to ensure the compatibility between the various platforms, thesoftware interface is more preferably carried out in the form of a webserver built into said control housing 9 of the light sources 7, saidcontrol housing comprising a means for connecting 11 allowing theterminal 10 to be connected to the software interface built into saidhousing via a wireless protocol, of the “WIFI” type for example, or viacables of the “ETHERNET” type for example.

The software interface of the device for managing 1 makes it possible tographically scroll the paths and the walls and, if the wall retained isnot being used, to illuminate the chosen programmed paths on the wallconcerned. Choosing a path actuates the illumination of the lightsources 7 concerned and advantageously inaccessibility for all of theother paths that use light sources 7 that are part of the chosen path.

The software interface advantageously makes it possible to time andrecord the time taken by a climber in carrying out the chosen path. Thislatter functionality requires installing a presence detector 12 of theclimber on the electronic card 6 of the device for managing 1. Thedetecting of the climber is advantageously of the magnetic type and canbe associated with a bracelet that comprises a magnet worn by theclimber, said magnet modifying the magnetic field in the vicinity of thegrip and making it possible to detect the presence of the climber. Thisdetector is preferably a switch of the reed switch type (ILS or REEDswitch) for its lifespan and its reliability.

This functionality in addition requires setting up a bidirectional linkbetween the grip or grips 4 and the control housing 9 of the lightsources 7. This bidirectional link advantageously uses radiofrequencies.

In reference to FIG. 5, the electronic card 6 also comprises a regulator13 and a microcontroller 14 making possible in particular the managementof the identification information of the light source 7 and of theassociated grip 4. Indeed, during the installation of new grips 4 on theclimbing wall 2 and/or during the recording of new paths, the forerunnermakes it possible thanks to the presence detector 12 to attribute aunique identifier to each grip 4 of the recorded path, said uniqueidentifier making it possible to light the light source 7 only accordingto need, the chosen path and orders from the control housing 9.

Likewise, in reference to FIG. 5, the control housing 9, which isconnected to at least one emission loop 3, also comprises an electricalpower supply 15 in order to supply said emission loop 3 with electriccurrent and a microcontroller 16 making it possible to control theproper operation of the device for managing 1.

However, in reference to FIG. 6, in order to allow for the timing of thecourse, the electronic card 6 of the grip 4 and the control housing 9each also comprise a transceiver, preferably of the radiofrequency type,respectively 17, 18. As such, when the climber is detected on the grip4, the latter sends his unique identifier to the control housing 9,thanks to their respective transceivers 17, 18.

Finally, in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 and with such a configuration,the device for managing 1 can operate according to at least twoprinciples.

As such, the first operating principle, shown diagrammatically in FIG.5, provides three operating modes: the installation mode, the usage modeand the path programming mode.

When the device for managing 1 is in installation mode, the emissionloops 3 are activated and the control housing 9 sends an orderindicating to any grip 4 that enters into activity (turned on) and thatdetects a climber to store a unique identifier contained in the order,said unique identifier then being used to respond only to ordersspecific to said unique identifier and sent by the control housing 9.The grip is then initialised and activated with an identifier and theforerunner can move on to the following grip 4, and so on.

When the device for managing 1 is in usage mode, the control housing 9of the light sources 7 activates the emission loops 3 and the lightsources 7 receive orders by demodulation of the signal received by thereception loop 8. If the order is a broadcast command or contains theiridentifier then the light sources 7 execute the order and are lit,otherwise, the light sources 7 remain off in standby mode, correspondingto low power consumption.

When the device for managing 1 is in path programming mode that allows aforerunner to create new paths, the software interface makes it possibleto send a “broadcast” command to all of the light sources 7 so that theyare ready to receive and to memorise the identifier of the path duringprogramming, if the presence detector 12 is activated by the forerunner.When the forerunner approaches his bracelet comprising a magnet for morethan three seconds, it is detected, the grip 4 becomes active for thepath being programmed and then memorises the path identifier, containedin the “broadcast” command, in its memory of identifiers for which ithas to execute an action. In order to signal that it has indeed takenhis selection into account, the grip 4 could take on a defined colour.As long as the path programming mode is active, the forerunner canselect and deselect a grip by “activating” or not its presence sensor.At the end of path programming, the software interface sends a pathprogramming end “broadcast” command in order to place the grips 4 inusage mode. Each grip 4 now knows whether or not it has to carry out anorder concerning the programmed path in question, by searching in itsmemory for the path identifier associated with said order that itreceives. As such, if the path identifier is present it then carries outthe action requested, otherwise it does nothing.

Finally, the second operating principle, shown diagrammatically in FIG.6, provides four operating modes: the installation mode, the usage mode,the path programming mode and the timing mode. The three first operatingmodes are identical to those described hereinabove.

However, when the device for managing 1 is in timing mode (the only modethat must have a bidirectional link), more preferably of theradiofrequency type, when the climber is detected by the bracelet or thepresence of the climber, the grip 4 sends the identifier and thepresence information to the control housing 9 of the light sources 7,via radiofrequency link, thanks to their respective transceivers 17, 18.This bidirectional link makes it possible in particular to determine thetime between each grip 4 and the total duration of the path.

However, wherein the setting up of a bidirectional link of theradiofrequency type would significantly increase the price of a grip 4and therefore of the device for managing 1, only the grips 4 that can belocated in the first position of a course and in the last position ofthe path will be provided with the bidirectional link, allowing as suchfor the timing of said path. To do this, the first and last grip of thepath concerned must be identified in the device for managing 1.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER EMBODIMENTS

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the device formanaging the illumination of an artificial climbing wall according tothe invention is associated, thanks to a bidirectional link of theradiofrequency type, with a marker or identification tag (RFID tag) wornby each climber, said tag having more preferably the form of a bracelet.

Indeed, the emission loop has the ability to communicate bidirectionallywith the electronic card of each grip comprising at least one receptionloop but also with RFID tags and other RFID sensors.

This association allows for automatic identification of the climber bythe emission loop and the control housing of the light sources.

The operating principles of the device for managing the illumination andof the software interface are not called into question in their basicoperating modes, however the use of said device for managing issimplified as passage through the software interface is no longerrequired.

Indeed, forerunners can validate the adding of a grip to an itinerarythanks to the identification tag of the bracelet without having toconnect with the software interface.

Likewise, users can choose to not pass through the software interfaceand directly access an itinerary by approaching their identification tagto a grip. The itineraries to which said grip belongs are thenautomatically and successively proposed to him.

Furthermore, every user will have his statistics updated automatically,as soon as he is recognised on an itinerary.

When several are practicing, this provides flexibility in use byautomatically generating the updating of the profiles without returningto the interactive terminal.

POSSIBILITY FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The device for managing 1 the illumination according to the inventionapplies more particularly to the marking of paths on artificial climbingwalls, but it can also be used to provide for the decoration/animationof the climbing room through the use of illumination sequences carriedout for this purpose.

Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of device for managing1 the illumination in accordance with the invention that have just beendescribed are only particular illustrations, and in no way limit theinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An illumination management device intendedfor an artificial climbing wall comprising at least one emission looparranged so as to be fixed to the rear of the wall and being able toemit an electromagnetic field through said wall, at least one luminousgrip arranged so as to be fixed to the front of said wall and able toreceive an electronic card comprising at least one light source and areception loop able to receive said electromagnetic field emitted by theassociated emission loop so as to convert it into electric current inorder to power said light source, and a control housing for the lightsource being arranged so as to be connected to an electrical network soas to power said emission loop with electric current and able to sendcommands to manage the illumination of said light source.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the electronic card further comprises apresence detector of a climber on the associated grip.
 3. The deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the presence detector is a reed switchassociated with a magnet or an RFID reader associated with a tag, themagnet or the tag having the form of a bracelet arranged to be worn by aclimber.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic cardfurther comprises a regulator and a microcontroller making possible inparticular the management of the identification information of the lightsource and of the associated grip.
 5. The device according to claim 1,wherein the electronic card is embedded in the material of the grip. 6.The device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic card is embeddedin the material of an independent removable subset able to be insertedinto the back of the grip.
 7. The device according to claim 5, whereinthe grip or the subset further comprises a portion made of flexiblematerial wherein the electronic card is embedded.
 8. The deviceaccording to claim 1, characterised in that the control housing furthercomprises an electrical power supply to supply said emission loop withelectric current and a microcontroller making it possible to control theproper operation of the illumination device.
 9. The device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a multi-platform software interface. 10.The device according to claim 9, wherein the software interface iscarried out in the form of a web server built into said control housingfor light sources.
 11. The device according to claim 10, furthercomprising: at least one interactive terminal making it possible tomanage the illumination of one or several paths and in that the controlhousing comprises a means of connection allowing the terminal to beconnected to the software interface built into said housing via awireless protocol or via cables.
 12. The device according to claim 1,further comprising: a bidirectional link between the grip or grips andthe control housing of the light sources making it possible to measureand record the time taken by a climber to carry out the chosen path. 13.The device according to claim 12, wherein the bidirectional link usesradio frequencies and in that the electronic card of the grip and thecontrol housing of the light sources each comprise a transceiver,respectively.